LGBT

Human Rights Watch has released a 115-page report regarding LGBT rights. The report includes input from South Dakota students, teachers and parents of LGBT students. SDPB's Kealey Bultena joins Dakota Midday for a closer look at the report.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender students in South Dakota say they encounter discrimination in school. Their stories are part of a document released Wednesday by Human Rights Watch.

The 103-page report indicates students in South Dakota are bullied, harassed, and threatened because they’re LGBT. It includes stories that some schools and teachers treat LGBT kids – and staff – differently.

A scholar from the University of California Los Angeles says the LGBT community has a long way to go to achieve legal equality. That’s despite the fact the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage this summer.

The University of South Dakota Law School held its annual Lavender Lecture this week. The event was hosted by OUT-Laws, a student group that brings discussion about LGBT issues,and Women in the Law.

Lori Walsh speaks with Ashley Gaddis, she is Director of Operations for the Sioux Falls Center for Equality, and Thomas Christianson who is President of the Sioux Falls Center for Equality and their thoughts on how the attack affects the LGBT community.

Walsh speaks with Karen Johnson. Her son lives two miles from the Pulse nightclub in Orlando and she was there visiting him. Johnson left at 4:00 a.m. Sunday to go to the airport when the events were unfolding.

Governor Dennis Daugaard says he’ll make a decision by Tuesday on what’s known as the transgender bathroom bill. House Bill 1008 requires transgender students use the bathroom of their biological sex. The measure was delivered to the Governor’s desk last week.

Mandie Weinandt is faculty advisor for the University of South Dakota’s LGBTQ student group. She joins Dakota Midday to talk about what it means to be an “ally” during conversations regarding transgender legislation.

House Bill 1008 is a bill that restricts the use of bathrooms by transgender students. It would require all students to use bathrooms, locker rooms and dressing rooms aligned with the gender they were assigned at birth, regardless of their gender identity now. Supporters say it protects the privacy of all students. Opponents say it isolates and discriminates against transgender South Dakotans and takes control away from local decision-makers.

The Sturgis Rally draws hundreds of thousands of people to the state each year the rally is also a popular place to for bikers to get married. On big years the event can also see about 100 weddings performed during rally week both by municipal officials and by local businesses that perform and cater weddings.

This year-the rally will likely see its first same-sex wedding and one local business owner couldn’t be happier.

The Sturgis Rally is a popular place to get hitched and that's true for this upcoming 75th rally anniversary where wedding reservations are up.

The Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage on Friday and in a short time some couples in South Dakota were able to pick up a marriage license. Weddings were performed the same day across the country including in Rapid City where a same-sex couple in married and celebrated the court’s decision.

Tyler Butler and Kyle Wolf have been a couple for three years. Friday evening, friends and family gathered with the two at Wilson Park. They were among the first legal same sex marriages performed in South Dakota. Wolf says they weren’t expecting the decision.

Yoruba Richen is a documentary filmmaker who has directed and produced films in the U.S., Africa, South America and Southeast Asia. Her latest film, "The New Black," tells the story of how the African-American community is grappling with gay rights issues in light of the recent gay marriage movement and the fight over civil rights. The "New Black" will air on Independent Lens at 9:30 pm CT Sunday, June 15, on SDPB-TV. Yoruba Richen joined the program to discuss the filmmaking process and what viewers can expect from this story.

An alleged assault in Rapid City highlights some of the fine print in South Dakota’s hate crime law.

This week police responded to a call from a victim who says he was assaulted by a young white male.

According to the police report, the juvenile suspect drove up to the victim, got out of his truck and asked him if he was gay. The suspect then allegedly assaulted the victim and drove away. The victim did not require medical attention.

Nancy Robrahn and Jennie Rosenkranz are a Rapid City couple who plan to challenge South Dakota's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. They attempted to get a marriage license at the Pennington County Courthouse last week, but were denied. The couple, together for 27 years, will get married in Minneapolis next month where same-sex marriage is legal. When Robrahn and Rosenkranz return to South Dakota they'll file a lawsuit challenging the state for not recognizing their marriage certificate.

The State Senate Judiciary committee killed Senate Bill 128 Tuesday morning. The bill protects business owners who turn away individuals based on sexual orientation from civil lawsuits. It also protects employers who choose to not hire LGBT individuals.

Those in favor call the measure an effort to protect free speech and freedom of religion. Those opposed call the bill blatant discrimination.

A bill before the state legislature is sparking backlash from those who support the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered community.

Senate Bill 128 seeks to allow business owners to refuse service to L.G.B.T. individuals without fear of a lawsuit. Proponents say it’s a freedom of speech issue to protect the rights of business owners allowing them to act in accordance with their faith. Those against the measure call it blatant unconstitutional discrimination.

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